New York bill would ban anonymous political ads on Facebook

New York would require political ads on Facebook or other social media platforms to contain the names of the people or groups paying for them under legislation proposed Tuesday amid growing scrutiny of the influence such ads had on the 2016 presidential election.

Democratic state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, of Long Island, said his proposal would discourage false or misleading ads while informing citizens about those trying to influence their votes. He announced the legislation a day after Facebook turned 3,000 ads over to three congressional committees looking into Russian influence in the election, in which Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton.

“Not another political ad should run on social media without voters knowing exactly who paid for it,” Kaminsky said. “It’s one thing to lie to a voter; it’s quite another to be able to do it anonymously, without any accountability. Political ads on television, in mail and new media platforms like Facebook should be transparent.”

The proposed disclosure rules also would apply to mailed campaign advertisements.

Kaminsky’s idea has yet to provoke an organized opposition, but efforts to impose state-specific regulations on particular industries often face opposition from industry groups worried about complying with a patchwork of conflicting laws.

Facebook says it’s already working to provide users with more information about political ads on its site.

“We are open to reviewing any reasonable proposals,” company spokesman Andy Stone said when asked about Kaminsky’s proposal.

The proposal could be taken up when lawmakers begin their 2018 session in January.

Trump, a Republican, has denied getting any help from Russia in beating Clinton, a Democrat, in the election and has called reports of Russian meddling in the election a hoax. Russia has denied hacking into the U.S. election.

2 comments

Unfortunately…and, as always…NY politicians have no conception of what present laws exist, nor do they care.

There is already a Supreme Court decision about “anonymous” campaigning, which makes this NY “law” Unconstitutional before it makes paper, in McIntyre v. Ohio:

In a 7-2 decision, the high court said that “anonymous pamphleteering” has a long and honorable history in this country that extends back to the authors of the Federalist Papers and is as deeply ingrained as the secret ballot.

“Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority,” the high court said.

The Duryea Decision (circa 1975) by NY’s Court of Appeals also protected anonymous political ads. It would require a change in the state constitution to enact Kaminsky’s reform. So, regardless of how well-meaning the Kaminsky bill is, it’s dead. His staff should have made him aware of this.